On March 4, 2026, American Legion National Commander Dan K. Wiley appeared before a joint hearing of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs in Washington, D.C., to present the organization's legislative priorities for the second session of the 119th Congress. The testimony, delivered during The American Legion's annual Washington Conference, highlighted the urgent needs of the nation's 1.5 million Legionnaires and the broader veteran community amid a "pivotal time for our country."
Commander Wiley, a retired Air Force veteran and former Kansas district court judge from Leavenworth, Kansas (a member of Byron H. Mehl American Legion Post #23), was introduced by Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), who praised Wiley's service and the Legion's advocacy. The hearing provided a platform for Wiley to share the organization's resolutions-based agenda, rooted in 107 years of grassroots input from posts nationwide.
In his opening remarks, Wiley emphasized reframing how the nation repays military service. He noted that only about 6% of American adults have served, yet military service often becomes a "family business," with lifelong impacts on veterans and their loved ones. Addressing recent media narratives criticizing veterans for "taking advantage" of the VA benefits system, Wiley called the focus misguided and urged a shift toward systemic improvements rather than blaming those seeking earned benefits.
Wiley underscored the Department of Veterans Affairs' core mission: "to care for him who shall have borne the battle." He highlighted ongoing challenges and opportunities, including the proposed Veterans Health Administration reorganization, the NextGen Community Care contract, and accelerated deployment of the Electronic Health Record system. He stressed the need for adequate resources and congressional oversight to ensure VA fulfills its obligations.
Key legislative priorities outlined in the testimony included:
- Advancing Be the One, The American Legion's flagship suicide prevention initiative, to combat veteran suicide through awareness, intervention, and support.
- Ensuring robust access to high-quality health care for veterans, including exploration of alternative and breakthrough therapies for conditions like PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
- Supporting passage of key bills such as H.R. 2730 – Military Moms Act and H.R. 4769 – Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2025.
- Pushing for the Major Richard Star Act to provide fairer benefits for combat-injured veterans.
- Priorities in Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, Veterans Employment and Education, and National Security.
Wiley concluded by thanking the committees for their bipartisan commitment to veterans, especially as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. He expressed eagerness to collaborate on meaningful legislation that honors service and supports readiness in the Armed Forces.
The full written testimony is available on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs website, and video of the hearing can be viewed through Senate and House committee channels or The American Legion's resources.
This appearance reinforces The American Legion's role as a leading voice for veterans, delivering direct input from the community to lawmakers. Commander Wiley's testimony serves as a call to action for continued advocacy to ensure veterans receive the care, benefits, and respect they have earned.